Fresh Archives

DMX Made Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood Because Of A $1 Million Wager

In the span of seven months, DMX released two albums which combined went platinum seven times. It was 1998, and the Yonkers, New York rapper was taking the industry by storm, establishing himself as a domineering presence with uncompromising virility. First with May's It's Dark and Hell Is Hot and... Read more

December 5, 2016 Throwback, Throwback

Masta Ace Reveals Why The Crooklyn Dodgers Lineup Changed (Video)

In conjunction with the Spike Lee Joint Crooklyn, A Tribe Called Quest and Q-Tip began assembling a Hip-Hop collaboration for the Geffen Records soundtrack. While the film was set in the 1970s, director Spike Lee has historically attached Hip-Hop to his films. According to Q-Tip, considerations were reportedly made for... Read more

December 5, 2016 Video

Ab-Soul’s New Album Is Dropping THIS WEEK. Here’s The New Single (Audio)

In October, Carson, California's Ras Kass celebrated the 20th anniversary of his debut album, Soul On Ice, a storm of an LP home to "Nature of the Threat." Considered today as one of Ras's most memorable tracks to date, it seems to have served as a point of inspiration for Ab-Soul,... Read more

December 5, 2016 Audio

Members Of Souls Of Mischief & Freestyle Fellowship Tag Team With Battle Rhymes (Audio)

In the early 1990s, Los Angeles, California's Good Life Café played host to some legendary lyricists with its open mic Hip-Hop shows. From Jurassic 5 (Rebels of Rhythm and Unity Committee) to Freestyle Fellowship, Skee-Lo to Volume 10, many great MCs made pre-album impact on a community of music, poetry,... Read more

December 5, 2016 Audio

Pete Rock Discusses His Smoke DZA Collabo Album & Who Would Be In His Dream Band (Video)

Last Friday (December 2), Smoke DZA & Pete Rock released their first collaborative album, Don't Smoke Rock. The Babygrande Records LP features Rick Ross, Royce 5'9", Jadakiss, Mac Miller, Styles P, Big K.R.I.T., and Cam'ron (among others) on 13 brand-new Pete Rock productions. DZA, who has known Pete since he... Read more

December 5, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Video

The LOX Discuss What To Expect From Their First Album In 16 Years

Just four days in, the month of December is already off to a torrid start. J. Cole has announced he is releasing his next album on Friday (December 9), Run The Jewels have confirmed the release date for Run The Jewels 3 (January 13) and revealed the tracklist, and Pete... Read more

December 4, 2016 Fresh

Wale Fires Back At J. Cole And He Names Names (Audio)

In the last 48 hours, J. Cole not only announced an album, he released a documentary leading up to 4 Your Eyez Only. Then, music heard in the doc' released on its own, in the form of two critical video singles, "False Prophets (Be Like This)" and "Everybody Gotta Die." Both... Read more

December 3, 2016 Audio

Lloyd Banks’ “The Last Of A Dope Era Dying” Is Symbolic Of So Many Changes (Audio)

Perhaps second to only the "Hip-Hop as a woman" metaphor, MCs have long employed the parallels of rapping with hustling. The very first song on Outkast's debut album ("Myintrotoletuknow") said it plainly. DJ Premier scratched that Andre 3000 line on Jay Z's more expanded "Rap Game / Crack Game" three... Read more

December 3, 2016 Audio

This Unreleased Early 90s Del Feature Shows He Was Funky From The Start (Audio)

Producer/DJ Rob Flow, formerly DJ Robski of revolutionary-minded early ’90s Bay Area Hip-Hop group Freedom T.R.O.O.P. 187, recently posted a previously unreleased song of theirs featuring Oakland legend Del The Funky Homosapien. Besides Rob, the trio consisted of Adisa “The Bishop” Banjoko and the late Hi-Low. Banjoko is currently an... Read more

December 3, 2016 Throwback

This 1998 Track By Big L, Ma$e & McGruff Is “Dangerous” To Overlook (Audio)

The corner of 139th Street and Lenox Avenue in Harlem, New York has been immortalized through song several times by the late, great Big L—and also falls on the same block where the “Street Struck” MC tragically lost his life in '99. Affectionately called the “Danger Zone,” the area was... Read more

December 3, 2016 Throwback

Saturday Love: Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Detail The Making Of A Classic (Video)

Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis are my favorite producers of all-time. That's saying a lot for a person who lives and breathes Hip-Hop and was a big enough Prince fan to believe it had to be him or them, given their well-documented music rivalry. Ironically, it was both Hip-Hop and Prince... Read more

December 2, 2016 Video

Shia LaBeouf Goes At Rosenberg’s Neck & Saves Some For Lil Yachty (Audio)

Just weeks after earning the admiration of some - and the ire of others - thanks to his recent appearance on Sway in the Morning, actor (and apparently now, MC) Shia LaBeouf is back on the mic, this time taking direct shots at some of Hip-Hop's biggest names. Today (December... Read more

December 2, 2016 Audio

Camp Lo’s Geechi Suede Releases His 1st Solo Album & Uses His Luchini For A Limozini (Video)

Camp Lo has been making music for more than 20 years. While mid-1990s duo contemporaries of theirs such as Tha Dogg Pound or Tha Luniz have created more music apart than together, Geechi Suede and Sonny Cheeba have kept their duo in heavy focus. If anything, Camp Lo has stayed... Read more

December 2, 2016 Video

Young M.A Spits As Hard As ANYONE Over “Money, Power, Respect.” Ooouuu (Video)

Heads who've been following Brooklyn's darkest corners of Hip-Hop have been aware of Young M.A since far before her song "OOOUUU" seemingly took over the scene. For those still getting familiar, she has released newer material that leaves no doubt in her ability as an MC, including July's "Summer Story"... Read more

December 2, 2016 Video

The LOX Drop 2 New Songs & Prove They’re Back in a Major Way (Audio)

Heads are still jubilant since learning of the news that The LOX have signed with Roc Nation, a major move for the Yonkers, New York street legends. But that wasn't the only surprise. On Friday, December 16, the D-Block Records crew will drop Filthy America...it's Beautiful, their first since 2000's... Read more

December 2, 2016 Audio

J. Cole Comes Out Blasting. It Sounds Like Kanye & Drake Are The Targets (Videos)

2016 may be saving its best for last. On the first day of December, it appeared that J. Cole unveiled his plans surrounding his fourth album release. December 9's 4 Your Eyez Only pre-orders hit the web, then quickly and mysteriously disappeared (they are back now). By the time the... Read more

December 2, 2016 Video

Cam’ron Talks Jim Jones Beef For The Last Time. He Says Dipset Is “Over” (Video)

Hip-Hop is in a climate of reunions. A Tribe Called Quest shocked the music world last month with a secretly recorded album, their first in 18 years. After more than 20 years away from album-making, Pete Rock & C.L. have confirmed an LP for 2017. The L.O.X. have inked a... Read more

December 2, 2016 Video

J. Cole’s Eyez Documentary Gives The First Taste Of Music From His New Album (Video)

Yesterday (December 1), seemingly out of nowhere a new J. Cole album, to be released December 9, was posted for pre-order. The album came with no announcement, no single and no marketing at all. Later, the pre-order was pulled, leading to speculation that reports were pre-mature, but now, TIDAL has... Read more

December 2, 2016 Video

Smoke DZA & Pete Rock Release The Full Stream For “Don’t Smoke Rock” & It’s Crack (Audio)

Don’t Smoke Rock, the long-awaited album by legendary producer Pete Rock and Harlem’s own Smoke DZA, released on Babygrande Records, is finally here — and not since DJ Premier and Royce Da 5’9” linked for their PRhyme project has such a dope multigenerational collaboration occurred. Incidentally, Royce joins Jadakiss, Styles... Read more

December 1, 2016 Audio

Ludacris Disturbed The Peace With This Never Before Released 2001 Freestyle (Audio)

In 2001, Ludacris was one of Rap's most exciting new stars. 2000's Back For The First Time kicked in the door for Def Jam South (then with Scarface at the helm) for a Top 5 charting, triple-platinum affair. However, the Atlanta, Georgia star with the carefully cut sideburns was not... Read more

December 1, 2016 Throwback, Throwback

Decemba Is Here. Andre 3000 Spits An Ice Cold Verse & Directs The Video

In late September, Epic Records artist Divine Council got the career push of a lifetime, care of label-mate Andre 3000. "Decemba (Remix)" escalated the remix that's about some aggressive bedroom maneuvers and stacking chips at the same time. 3 Stacks takes Divine's baton, and turns it to a Rap relay... Read more

December 1, 2016 Video

Masta Ace Breaks Down His Mathematics And There Is No Equal (Video)

Masta Ace has established himself as one of the most conceptual rappers in the game time and time again — “from ’88 to infinity,” as he claims, 1988 being the year of his debut on Marley Marl’s classic posse cut “The Symphony.” On the song "Mathematics" off The Falling Season, which... Read more

December 1, 2016 Video

Havoc Reminds He’s 1 Of Hip-Hop’s Best Double Threats With A Tough Beat & Verse For Cormega (Audio)

Queens, New York meets the Queen’s country on this collaboration between Queensbridge veterans Cormega and Havoc and British MC Giggs. “Ironic” is the latest reminder that while Havoc is beloved for his Mobb Deep beats, dating back to Juvenile Hell, he was first introduced as a rapper—and a really good... Read more

December 1, 2016 Audio

Trevor Noah Grills Tomi Lahren On Black Lives Matter & It Gets HEATED (Video)

Conservative media darling Tomi Lahren is not short on fans - nor critics. At only 24, she has made a name for herself as a far-right-leaning media personality, one whose voice has come to represent fiscally and socially conservative millennials. Her outspoken viewpoints have helped make her one of the... Read more

December 1, 2016 Lifestyle

Prodigy & DaVillins Have A Simple Message On A Dope Beat: Fall Back (Audio)

There’s something so right about the juxtaposition of gully rhymes paired with smooth, jazzy beats. On “FOH PT 2,” Sean Price protégés DaVillins enlist Prodigy to kick “rugged raps” about “pumpin’ packs” over a cool, laid-back upright bass line and dusty break-beat driven track. In doing so, MCs Rim and... Read more

December 1, 2016 Audio

Trademark Da Skydiver & Young Roddy Take Flight. Hear Their Album Early. (Audio)

Throughout the 2010s, Trademark Da Skydiver and Young Roddy have put in consistent work—often on the same tracks. The two New Orleans, Louisiana representatives helped fuel Curren$y's Jetlife crew for many years—appearing on every song on both volumes of Jet World Order as well as Spitta's Top 10 The Stoned Immaculate... Read more

December 1, 2016 Audio, Exclusive

Run The Jewels 3 Is Coming In January. Here’s The Artwork, Tracklist & A New Single (Audio)

In October, Run The Jewels, the duo of Killer Mike and El-P, confirmed that their third eponymous albums was in the works, and kicked it off with the blistering single, "Talk To Me." At the time, no other details about the album or its release were revealed, but "Talk To... Read more

December 1, 2016 Audio

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Have An “Awesome” Third Album Coming In 2017

Last month, A Tribe Called Quest released its first album in 18 years. We got it from Here...Thank You 4 Your service featured the founding three MCs of the Queens, New York collective. The Epic Records LP debuted at #1, setting a new feat for the genre. Pete Rock &... Read more

December 1, 2016 News, Video

Bumpy Knuckles Salutes ’70s & Early ’80s Rap Pioneers On A Nottz Track (Audio)

Bumpy Knuckles (aka Freddie Foxxx) released his first music in 1986. At the time, "Freddie C." was part of the Supreme Force. In that year, Hip-Hop and Rap music were transitioning. Run-D.M.C., Fat Boys, Whodini, and the Beastie Boys had stepped out bringing the album format and music videos to... Read more

November 30, 2016 Audio

Puffy Details Stepping To Suge Knight After The Source Awards & Suge Backpedaling (Video)

On August 3, 1995, many historians believe that the East Coast and West Coast Hip-Hop Beef was declared. Accepting the Source Award in Madison Square Garden for the Above The Rim soundtrack, Death Row Records CEO and co-founder Suge Knight told attendees, “Any artist out there that want to be an... Read more

November 30, 2016 Video

Joell Ortiz & Chris Rivers Say What They Feel And Some Might Get Hurt (Audio)

Joell Ortiz, Chris Rivers, and Whispers have a close working relationship. These three New York City MCs share an affinity for hard-nosed, in-your-face raps that combine wit, arrogance, and a ton of swagger on the microphone. Teaming with a producer each work with often (Domingo), they go as hard as... Read more

November 30, 2016 Audio

Black Thought Explains How He Constructs His Brilliant Rhymes

For more than 20 years, Black Thought has been one of the most consistent, prolific and greatest MCs in Hip-Hop. If he has been underrated, and that qualification becomes less applicable after each verse he smashes, it is solely because he has been a team player within the framework of... Read more

November 30, 2016 Fresh

Statik Selektah Remixes Some Older Dave East That Shows The Talent Nas Saw (Audio)

Today, Dave East is an MC who is cosigned by Nas, backed by Mass Appeal, and working with a who's who of Hip-Hop. In 2014, the Harlem, New Yorker was simply talented, hungry, and looking to kick in the industry door. At that time, he released video single "Stretched Out"... Read more

November 30, 2016 Audio

MC Melodee Is Trying To Take Hip-Hop All Around the World. Is She Ready Or Not? (Video)

Amsterdam native MC Melodee is a member of the Stones Throw family, having toured Europe with the likes of Oh No and Guilty Simpson as the front-woman of her Hip-Hop Soul outfit, La Melodia. Heads may also recognize her name thanks to her 2012 mixtape Check Out Melodee, which sports... Read more

November 29, 2016 Ready Or Not

Atmosphere’s Slug Breaks Down The Real Meaning Of “Lucy Ford.” (Audio)

In year 2000, Minneapolis, Minnesota Hip-Hop duo Atmosphere released two seminal EPs, Ford One and Ford Two. Produced by group member Ant, as well as Anticon's Jel, Moodswing 9, and others, these Rhymesayers Entertainment releases (later released together as Lucy Ford: The Atmosphere EPs) helped pivot a Midwest Underground Hip-Hop... Read more

November 29, 2016 Audio

Big K.R.I.T. Breaks Down His Most Important Verse & Explains Why We Might Not Be OK (Video)

"Might Not Be O.K." was not a Big K.R.I.T. single, but it's arguably one of the most important songs of his career. On it, he delivers a potent spoken-word-esque verse about police brutality, and the pain in his voice is palpable. Furthermore, he performed it at this year's BET Hip... Read more

November 29, 2016 Video

A Business School For Former Drug Dealers Argues You Can’t Knock the Hustle

One of the most insidious byproducts of the horrendously destructive so-called "war on drugs" is its direct role in steering millions of Americans into a life of street crime. Dealing drugs can be a lucrative option, especially for those who live in communities in which other, legal opportunities are scarce.... Read more

November 29, 2016 Lifestyle

Camp Lo’s Geechi Suede Is Sent From The Past To Show Us The Future (Video)

Camp Lo’s Geechi Suede has consistently rocked innovative, intricate and sparingly abstract rhyme schemes since “Coolie High,” and solo build-out “Sound of View” is no exception. Spacey synths and uptempo break-beat-backed drums provide a fitting ambience for the Bronx lyricist to showcase his “retro-futuristic” style—managing to pull off avant-garde with... Read more

November 29, 2016 Video

Tech N9ne & Smoke DZA Ignite A Cypher On A Fresh Pete Rock Beat (Video)

In less than two weeks, the unit of Smoke DZA & Pete Rock, as well as Tech N9ne will release albums, respectively. As Smoke has become a force to be reckoned with in 2010s independent Hip-Hop, Tech may be the standing giant of that field—given his commercial success and cult... Read more

November 29, 2016 Video

Better Bundle Up. State Property’s Freeway & Young Chris Rap So Cold (Video)

Last month, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's State Property appeared to largely reunite on the largest stage in close to a decade. Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Peedi Crakk, Omillio Sparks, and Need Buck lit up the BET Hip Hop Awards with a cypher that likely had a few Heads throwing up the R-O-C at... Read more

November 28, 2016 Video

Questlove Gets Nostalgic About What Makes ’90s Hip-Hop So Important (Video)

When thinking of quintessential Hip-Hop from the 1990s, the Roots are, without question, included in the conversation. That makes it hard to remember that there was a time when Questlove, Black Thought, and the rest of the band were just fans of the genre and not recording artists. It wasn't... Read more

November 28, 2016 Video

A New Film Urges Americans to Start SERIOUSLY Worrying About Unemployment (Video)

Robots, immigrants, and low-wage workers in other countries have all been scapegoated as potential threats to America's employment. And sometimes for good reason. Automation and artificial intelligence have already taken away thousands of jobs from U.S. employees of the human kind - in factories, on computers, and even at Uber.... Read more

November 28, 2016 Lifestyle

Dru Hill Reunite For The Soul Train Awards & Sound As Great As Ever (Video)

It has been more than six years since Dru Hill released an album. The multi-platinum 1990s and 2000s Baltimore, Maryland group reunited for a 2016 Soul Train Awards performance. Opening the show, Sisqó, Jazz, Nokio, and Tao performed a medley of their hits, including the So So Def Remix of... Read more

November 28, 2016 Video

Teddy Riley Receives 2016 Soul Train Legend Award & Performs A Medley Of Hits (Video)

In the canon of great producers, few stand taller than Teddy Riley. From the mid-80s to the mid-90s, the talented songwriter, artist and trackmaster had such a defining movement, an entire genre was created to describe his sound. New Jack City Is Turning 25. New Revelations From Its Writer Will... Read more

November 27, 2016 Video

Kurupt Looks Back At The Major Beefs Of His Career In “Unsung” (Video)

This week, the Unsung series aired its episode dedicated to Kurupt. The TV One program examined the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania upbringing of Tha Dogg Pound co-founder. Kurupt admits that Rakim is a leading Rap influence in his lyrical style and enhanced vocabulary. The biography follows Kurupt's move to California, and subsequent... Read more

November 27, 2016 TV/Film, Video

This Documentary On Sampling Highlights Some Rap Classics (Video)

A documentary on the evolution of music production has been airing this fall. Soundbreaking on PBS examines what music producers do, how the craft and technology has advanced, and the impact some men and women have had on superstars in Pop, Rock & Roll, Soul, and Hip-Hop. Episode 6 of... Read more

November 26, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Evil Dee & Joell Ortiz Give Ras Kass’ “Etc.” An East Coast KNOCK (Audio)

Earlier this year, Ras Kass celebrated the 20th anniversary of his debut album, Soul On Ice. The LP broke new ground by combining a deep dive into philosophy, religion and politics with true West Coast Gangsta Rap. Sadly, many of its themes of police brutality, racial oppression and divisiveness among... Read more

November 25, 2016 Audio

J Dilla & Madlib’s Unreleased Collab From 2002 Brings Da Rawkus (Audio)

For Hip-Hop fans, there are few record catalogs more revered than that of Stones Throw. The label, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, is the home to such artists as MF DOOM, Aloe Blacc, Dam Funk, J Rocc, Oh No and, of course, label founder, Peanut Butter Wolf. The record... Read more

November 25, 2016 Audio

Learn 10 Mind-Blowing Facts About Dre, Tupac, & Eazy From The Definitive Book On L.A. Gangsta Rap

Perhaps even more than Hip-Hop's inception, or its commercial rise, the history of N.W.A. and the diaspora of West Coast Gangsta Rap is the culture's most intriguing story. There are heroes, villains, fights, triumphs, and a plethora of great music. Author Ben Westhoff's just-published Original Gangstas is as comprehensive a... Read more

November 24, 2016 Food for Thought

These Four Emerging MCs Show Real Talent On “Counterfeit” (Audio)

Chicago arts collective 119 delivers the second single off their upcoming Countdown 2 Midnight compilation, featuring Chi-Town wordsmiths Saba, Noname (formerly Noname Gypsy) and Phoelix alongside Brooklyn’s own Chelsea Reject. Contrary to the song’s title, on “Counterfeit,” all lyricists drop genuine, poetic bars riddled with poignant insight over dark, bass-heavy... Read more

November 23, 2016 Audio